Got Hit By A Car On Halsted And Adams

On thursday May 2nd, I got struck by a car going westbound into adams same direction I was turning into. I wasnt hurt that bad and neither was the bike (although I've never been hit by a car in my life). The witnesses insisted I make a report which I did and it took forever and got my license taken from me and got a ticket and have to go to court now. Was it worth making a report? She actually stopped and gave me her insurance info. She told me If I didn't make the report, she would have wrote me a check. I've never been in a minor accident like this, so was It worth the police report?

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on May 6, 2013 at 3:31am

Here is a good lesson - if you see a cyclists after a crash go over and offer the crash support hotline number (or card if you have one).  

I've helped collect witness information and taken in bikes (if it is a serious crash).  Just did that last week with a bad one I saw on the path.  Took the bike to the closet bike shop and texted the crash victim where his bike was.  He was ubberly appreciative. 

Permalink Reply by dan brown on May 6, 2013 at 4:02am

I would like to add a +1 to Cameron's advice on the three possible outcomes.

 

Another tip - go to court : arrive early. Locate the state's attorney beforehand (this is the individual representing the state) and explain your situation before you decide to enter a plea guilty or not guilty

(your only two choices). sometimes they will already know if the cop will be there (now days cops are

required to show up) or the other party has checked in, etc.  Even though they do not represent you; they just want things to be resolved quickly and keep the case caseload moving quickly and smoothly.

IMO they are so tired of dealing with thugs and habitual lawbreakers when they encounter a responsible,rational person who wants to cooperate and do the right thing they can be pretty helpful.

Also - if your case is thrown out (dismissed) you are not fined anything and nothing goes on your record; but you will probably still be required to pay court costs. Often you can offer to perform community service in lieu of the costs; it requires taking a day off work (if you work a day job M-F) but can save you money if your budget is tight. I have done it and it's kind of fun. It's not hard work; you just have to be on time and do what is asked (in my case we swept viaducts for 4-5 hours). good luck.

 

just my $.02

Permalink Reply by WillG on May 6, 2013 at 4:04am
Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on May 6, 2013 at 4:49am

Thanks, Howard and others for recommending a call to our Crash Support hotline...it's free and we have lots of resources and referrals we can offer.

Michael, so sorry to hear about this...please do call us if you haven't, our volunteers are trained and ready to help. 312.869.4357.

Thanks much,

Ethan Spotts, Active Trans

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on May 6, 2013 at 5:05am

This thread made me realize that I should add this phone number to my phone's contact list. Thanks Ethan!

Active Transportation Alliance said:

Thanks, Howard and others for recommending a call to our Crash Support hotline...it's free and we have lots of resources and referrals we can offer.

Michael, so sorry to hear about this...please do call us if you haven't, our volunteers are trained and ready to help. 312.869.4357.

Thanks much,

Ethan Spotts, Active Trans

Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on May 6, 2013 at 6:58am

Great! It's hard to think through everything right after a crash (even a couple of days later) and we hope we can help out. I know we have attorney referrals available and info on what reports to file and how to deal with insurance questions/issues. We also recommend getting any medical treatment you need.

Best of luck working through this, Michael.

Ethan, Active Trans

PS: you are welcome, Tony! That's an excellent idea for all of us, for sure.

Permalink Reply by Melissa on May 6, 2013 at 9:33am


Always follow up with legal and medical.  My friend - a really safe rider - was just tackled by a door. This is her, three days later. 

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on May 6, 2013 at 9:45am
I keep the cards with me. Just gave one last week to a cyclist in a horrible crash with a runner on the path. Took his bike to the local bike shop since it couldn't go in the ambulance and texted him info. He was ubberly appreciative amd I was happy to help in some way.

Tony Adams 6.6 mi said:

This thread made me realize that I should add this phone number to my phone's contact list. Thanks Ethan!

Active Transportation Alliance said:

Thanks, Howard and others for recommending a call to our Crash Support hotline...it's free and we have lots of resources and referrals we can offer.

Michael, so sorry to hear about this...please do call us if you haven't, our volunteers are trained and ready to help. 312.869.4357.

Thanks much,

Ethan Spotts, Active Trans

Permalink Reply by Duppie on May 6, 2013 at 9:50am

Oh, that was the second bike you were carrying... makes sense now. Saw the guy lying on the path, waiting to be put in an ambulance. Did he end up being OK?

Julie Hochstadter said:

I keep the cards with me. Just gave one last week to a cyclist in a horrible crash with a runner on the path. Took his bike to the local bike shop since it couldn't go in the ambulance and texted him info. He was ubberly appreciative amd I was happy to help in some way.

Tony Adams 6.6 mi said:

This thread made me realize that I should add this phone number to my phone's contact list. Thanks Ethan!

Active Transportation Alliance said:

Thanks, Howard and others for recommending a call to our Crash Support hotline...it's free and we have lots of resources and referrals we can offer.

Michael, so sorry to hear about this...please do call us if you haven't, our volunteers are trained and ready to help. 312.869.4357.

Thanks much,

Ethan Spotts, Active Trans

Permalink Reply by dan brown on May 6, 2013 at 9:53am

Michael - if you plan to seek legal advice it may be best to delete the parts of this post that list specifics about who did what before/during and after the actual incident. it helps protect all parties involved.

just my $.02

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on May 7, 2013 at 8:55am

Hot coffee?  That really sucks.

I'm grateful that I've never had that particular experience - in any south side 'hood or anywhere else.  My closest equivalent was having a cold drink thrown at me while I was riding across the Roosevelt Rd. bridge late at night.  That was bad enough.

My worst south side experiences (worst by a lot) with driver attitudes have been in Mount Greenwood.

Permalink Reply by Blatherskate on May 7, 2013 at 9:41am
Thank jeebus you're ok from the coffee episode. That's really effed up.
The only things thrown at me happened on the North side.
Kids threw a rock (hit me in the leg) in Bucktown, and a soccer ball (somehow went directly through both legs) in Humbolt Park. Oh, and another cyclist threatened to shoot me in Logan Square. That was a good one.

Be careful out there people!

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